Image courtesy of Scryfall.com
Data Dive: Erebor Flamesmith Artwork Across Sets
When you sift through MTG art catalogs, you’re chasing more than a pretty picture—you’re tracing a silent map of licensing choices, artistic trends, and the way a card’s presence grows or fades across formats. In this Data Dive, we zoom in on Erebor Flamesmith, a red-hued spark-gap of a dwarf artificer who brings quick-draw damage to the battlefield every time you fling a swift spell. 🧙♂️🔥 The card lives in The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (set code ltr), a draft-innovation release that braided Tolkien’s world with MTG’s mechanics in 2023. The data isn’t just about power—it's about how art, rarity, and set design converge to shape a card’s footprint over time. 💎⚔️
From a data perspective, Erebor Flamesmith presents a clean case study. It costs 1 colorless and 1 red mana ({1}{R}), is a Creature — Dwarf Artificer, and carries the stat line 2/1. It’s a common rarity and carries the flavor of dwarven crafts—translated into a practical ability: Whenever you cast an instant or sorcery spell, this creature deals 1 damage to each opponent. The artistry here is in the synergy: a compact, aggressive creature that rewards a spell-heavy playstyle. The flavor text? A Glóin line that reminds us of a long craftsmanship history: understanding that even the best steel cannot outmatch the legends forged before the dragon’s arrival. This lore threads into how the card plays in red-based tempo or spell-slinging decks. 🎨🔥
One of the most important takeaways from Erebor Flamesmith’s card data is its printing footprint. The Scryfall data for this particular card shows a single printing in the Lords of the Rings crossover set: The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth (set_id 08078706-ac5d-439b-8f01-894d38751367, set_code ltr). The card is listed as common, with a foil and non-foil presence, and prints released on 2023-06-23. In terms of reprint frequency, Erebor Flamesmith has not, as of the most current data, appeared as a reprint in another full set or alternate art reprint within the MTG landscape. That makes it a relatively straightforward data point: one primary art presentation for this card across its official MTG life so far. 🧙♂️💎
“We make good armor and keen swords, but we cannot again make mail or blade to match those that our fathers made before the dragon came.” — Glóin
To understand reprint dynamics, it helps to define what we mean by “art reprint frequencies.” There are several axes you can measure:
- Number of distinct artworks for the same card name across all sets
- Presence of alternate frames or border treatments (e.g., showcase, borderless, extended art)
- Language variants and printing languages (non-English versions sometimes feature different art)
- Foil editions vs. non-foil and special promos (which can amplify total print waves even if the art is unchanged)
In Erebor Flamesmith’s case, the current data shows a straightforward path: one core artwork across a single release in the LOTR crossover. The Universes Beyond collaboration framework—evident in the set’s branding and in the card’s “universesbeyond” promo-type status—adds a layer of cultural resonance: licensing, cross-media marketing, and collector interest all influence how reprint discussions unfold for this card in particular. The art, crafted by L J Koh, is anchored in a 2015 frame style with a black border, consistent with The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth’s aesthetic choices, rather than a later art reprint with a radically different illustration. It’s a snapshot in time rather than a rotating gallery. The data tell us: for now, there’s no second art to compare against. 🧙♂️⚔️
Why art reprints matter to players and collectors
Art reprints aren’t just about cosmetics; they influence play culture, pricing curves, and collector motivation. Even if Erebor Flamesmith remains visually singular in its MTG lifecycle, the surrounding data—price deltas, foil appreciation, and cross-set licensing patterns—still informs how players approach draft queues and how collectors shepherd their holdings. The card’s current market signals show modest pricing: around $0.13 USD for non-foil, with foil hovering near $0.33 USD. In euros, values sit around €0.15 non-foil and €0.17 foil. Those are typical for common red dorks in non-high-demand environments, but the charm of a Lord of the Rings crossover can tilt the ledger for dedicated shelvers and set-specific collectors. 🎲💎
In terms of play value, Erebor Flamesmith demonstrates a practical build-around case: a cheap, early-drop threat that punishes opponent life totals whenever you rip a fast spell. The synergy with instant and sorcery strategies remains its core strength—this is where data meets gameplay, combining a nimble tempo engine with a narratively rich world. The ability triggers on every instant or sorcery you cast, turning every spell into a potential splash of extra damage. For competitive play, that’s not a game-swinging blow, but it’s a reliable burn benefit that scales with your spell density. It’s also a reason to keep a keen eye on reprint chatter—if an alternate art or a borderless version ever surfaces, that could subtly shift both demand and value. 🎨🔥
Practical takeaways for fans and builders
- Track single-print cards to understand baseline art exposure. Erebor Flamesmith currently has a singular art footprint in its MTG career, making it a clean data point for studying reprint dynamics in crossover sets.
- Monitor Universes Beyond releases and set-specific promos, which can alter collector appeal even when the art remains the same.
- In player decks, lean into the card’s immediate value: cheap red value with a cast-trigger damage roll-out. It shines in spell-slinger windows and early-pressure scenarios.
- Use comprehensive databases (like Scryfall) to explore language variants, foil trajectories, and potential reprint signals in other formats or future crossovers.
For readers who love blending data with lore, the journey is part of the fun. While Erebor Flamesmith’s art may not be reprinted with a flashy new frame just yet, the underlying patterns—set design decisions, licensing pathways, and market dynamics—offer a treasure map of sorts. And hey, if you’re hungry for a different kind of treasure after poring over MTG data, this neon mouse pad from the linked shop makes a fitting side quest. It’s a playful nod to the glow of collectible gear that keeps our tables lit while we draft through legendary nights. 🧙♂️💥🎲